Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Bluesky Threads My bike was delivered today and I’m wondering if these brown spots are normal? by Educational_Mark3709 Bicycle Bicycling Bike Biking Cycling Trek Bicycles Trek Bikes
samschampions on August 3, 2026 5:12 pm [Trek Gel Cork Handlebar Tape ](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/bike-accessories/bike-handlebar-grips-tape/bike-handlebar-tape/trek-gel-cork-handlebar-tape-set/p/47893/?colorCode=black&_gl=1*4buhud*_up*MQ)
InspectionJazzlike30 on August 3, 2026 5:21 pm Looks like mold…. You might need a new bike./s It’s cork in the bar tape. This is what they used, yes it’s normal. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/bike-accessories/bike-handlebar-grips-tape/bike-handlebar-tape/trek-double-gel-cork-handlebar-tape-set/p/48089/?colorCode=black
sac_cyclist on August 3, 2026 6:35 pm That’s good high quality bar tape – is this your first drop bar road bike?
Gullible_Body1649 on August 3, 2026 7:21 pm I have the exact same thing on my allez- one side has it and one doesnt
13 Comments
Might be Cork flecks, it’s part of the tape design
They are speed ticks, they bite you to go faster.
[Trek Gel Cork Handlebar Tape ](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/bike-accessories/bike-handlebar-grips-tape/bike-handlebar-tape/trek-gel-cork-handlebar-tape-set/p/47893/?colorCode=black&_gl=1*4buhud*_up*MQ)
It’s the bar tape. You’re good
Looks like mold…. You might need a new bike./s
It’s cork in the bar tape. This is what they used, yes it’s normal.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/bike-accessories/bike-handlebar-grips-tape/bike-handlebar-tape/trek-double-gel-cork-handlebar-tape-set/p/48089/?colorCode=black
Congrats! I got my AL5 last Monday.
Wear a mask and get vaxxed.
That’s how it looks
Dried semen
That’s good high quality bar tape – is this your first drop bar road bike?
You should probably have that warrantied
I have the exact same thing on my allez- one side has it and one doesnt
Dry rot. Return it